Re: Whats the best deal, first DSLR

The D5100, no question. The only advantage to the D3200 is its extra resolution, 24mp vs 16mp. But the D5100 has better low light image quality, probably because its sensor is slightly larger and it has fewer megapixels. The D5100 has auto exposure bracketing, white balance bracketing and D-Lighting bracketing, while the D3200 has no bracketing options. The D5100 has a fully articulated LCD screen, the D3200 does not. The D5100 is well worth spending an additional $100.